Funeral set for Benedictine coaching legend

Service will be livestreamed as only immediate family will be able to attend.

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - In his 25 years at Benedictine, Jim Walsh, Sr. led the Cadet football team to nearly 200 victories.

On Wednesday, the former Cadet coach will be laid to rest in Savannah. Walsh passed away Saturday at 86 years old.

Because of the current funeral and gathering guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19, only immediate family will be able to attend the grave side service.

But others who knew the legendary coach won’t be shut out completely as the service will also be live streamed on Facebook. Family members say they felt it was important for those who got to know Walsh to be able to pay their respects, even if it’s only in a virtual manner.

Statement from Walsh family: “This time of quarantine has been tough on everyone. Nobody other than his children were even able to see him over the past few weeks while he was in and out of the hospital. He meant so much to so many people we feel that it is important that anybody who wants to can celebrate his life. There are many former players of his that also look at him as a father figure and have recently lost a huge part of their life so they should be able to be present even if it is through Facebook live.”

Author

Sports Director

Jake had a pretty good person to look up to. His father, Jim, has spent over 40 years in the TV business as an award-winning sports and news anchor in Georgia. Jake studied multimedia communications at Georgia Southern University, and his time in Statesboro confirmed his desire to chase his sports broadcasting dreams.